Brody - Ellie Masters Page 0,104
me. A smile fills my face as I lean back and let the sun kiss my skin. The harrowing grief eases its hold, and I breathe.
We stop at the shelter and I stay in the car while Brody takes the donations inside. When he climbs back inside, he looks at me.
“Where to?”
It’s Friday, and I have nowhere I need to be, but I know one man who needs me. “What about heading into the city?”
“Don’t you need to be here?”
“Not really. Mark’s got the crews working. He doesn’t need me looking over his shoulder.” Brody stiffens at the mention of Mark. “Something wrong?”
“No.” He gives a sharp shake of his head. “Don’t you want to check in on him and see what he’s up to?”
“Not really. He’s got his way of doing things and I don’t want to mess with that by hovering.”
“You’re his boss.” His voice hardens. “You should be familiar with all aspects of your business.”
“I’m familiar enough. Besides, I trust Mark.”
Brody’s grip on the wheel tightens and the muscles of his jaw bunch. “I know you trust him; I was just thinking how new you are to the business. He might have a lot to teach you.”
“True, and I will someday. I just don’t want to step on his toes, or worse.”
“What’s worse?”
“Remind him that his niece is now his boss.”
“How does that work, anyway?”
“What do you mean?”
“Why wasn’t the winery split equally between him and your mom?”
“He was sixteen when my grandparents died. Mom was twenty-one. She became his guardian and took over sole-proprietorship of Atwood Estates. When he turned eighteen, she gave him forty-percent interest. It’s what my grandparents wanted. Why?”
“It’s only that splitting assets like that can create friction between siblings.”
“Well, that’s why I’m not interested in hovering over Mark. He’s been at this for years. I don’t want any friction now that I’m technically his boss, although we’re more like partners.”
“Mark mentioned he offered to buy you out.”
“He did, and it was an incredibly generous offer.”
“Was it?”
“Yeah, two million to sign everything over and walk away.”
“Two million?” Brody grinds the words out. “And, why didn’t you? I can’t imagine owning a vineyard is what you imagined when you got your business degree.”
“It wasn’t. Not even close, but I have it now.”
“And?”
“And what?”
“Are you thinking about selling?”
“Truthfully, I think about that a lot. If it didn’t mean draining Mark’s retirement, I’d take his offer. Now that we’re working with your firm, it feels different.”
“Is it different because of me? Because of us?”
“Not you, actually, and not us.” I place my hand on his thigh and give it a little squeeze. “You’re an unexpected… Well, unexpected everything, but the business is different.”
“How?”
“Because it’s a puzzle I get to work on, like a challenge. You know, taking Atwood Estates from the brink of bankruptcy to something sustainable and profitable? It’s a challenge, but I can make it work.”
“I’m glad you feel that way, and not because my company is investing in your success, but for more personal reasons.”
“Personal reasons?” I squirm in my seat. I haven’t forgotten he admitted he loved me, and I’m foolish enough, or hopeful enough, to believe the two of us have a chance of making things work. Abbie’s words also whisper in my head.
He places his hand over mine and slowly moves it closer to his groin. “Yes, very personal reasons.” Brody stops short and lifts my hand to his mouth. “I’m not interested in seeing you leave, but if that’s what you need, or want, I support your dreams. I never want to be the one who stands in the way of you doing what you love.”
“Why would you think I’d want to leave?”
“You’re not the only one with doubts about us. Just when I find you, I worry you’ve been saddled with this tremendous burden. That it’s stifling your dreams, and our business dealings are a part of that. Obviously, I don’t want you to leave, which makes me incredibly selfish, but I love you enough to want you to be happy. I want you to pursue your dreams and not settle for the ones thrust upon you.” His tone turns serious. “If you want out, say the word.”
Want out? I don’t want out. Exactly the opposite. I want in, deep inside Brody’s life. If I give up Atwood Estates, how does that happen?
“Brody,” my voice drops to a whisper, “is this your way of getting rid of me?”
There it is, my self-doubt. That voice in my head reminds